Katarzyna Petru
At the end of this year's Opening Night Live at gamescom 2025, the Chinese studio Game Science decided to go all in. In a place where most players expected to see the first details of the expansion for Black Myth: Wukong, the developers served up something completely different – a fully-fledged new entry in the series titled Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
Surprise instead of Obviousness
Even before the trade fair began, industry gossip suggested that Game Science was preparing DLC for Wukong. Video materials showcasing underwater gameplay segments were supposed to confirm these assumptions. Meanwhile, the studio opted for a surprise – and with a bang, because the new installment of Black Myth is not an expansion, but a separate game that continues the idea of building its own universe based on Chinese mythology.
What can we expect from Zhong Kui?
So far, there’s little concrete information. The creators have not revealed either the release date or any details regarding the plot. It is only known that the game is set to be released “soon” on PC and “mainstream consoles,” which practically means PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. In the showcased trailer, we didn't see gameplay footage, but considering the direction taken with Wukong, one can assume that Zhong Kui will offer spectacular battles against monumental opponents and a storyline deeply rooted in Chinese legends.
Is the trilogy getting closer?
It’s worth recalling that unofficial reports previously suggested that Game Science was working on an entire trilogy of games heavily influenced by the mythology of the Middle Kingdom. Zhong Kui appears to be the first confirmation of these plans. Furthermore, in the press materials, the studio hinted that Wukong has not yet been definitively put on the back burner. The producer’s website includes the information: “the journey to the West is not over yet”.
Why a new game now, and not an expansion?
The creators do not hide the fact that choosing a new direction allows them to reach for fresh and bolder ideas. In the case of Wukong, some solutions were limited by technology – players complained about invisible walls and a lack of freedom in exploration. The new installment is intended to break these barriers and be a step towards an even more open, epic experience.
One thing's for sure – Game Science isn't planning to rest on its laurels after the success of Wukong. Instead, the studio is expanding its universe and trying to offer players something bigger than just a regular expansion. If Zhong Kui maintains the level of the previous installment, while also introducing new solutions, the Black Myth series could become one of the most important brands in the world of action RPGs.
Source: gry-online
